"This is a completely new situation in the history of France," assured the Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer yesterday evening on France 2. Faced with the coronavirus and after the schools closed, announced Thursday evening by Emmanuel Macron, extracurricular activities as well as most sports and cultural activities are canceled just like the Easter summer camps. A huge headache begins for parents, who will have 48 hours to adapt. But thanks in particular to distance courses and proposals for childcare, solutions are emerging for parents, so that children can continue to learn and for childcare.
Establishments welcoming more than 10 children are closed
The distance learning deployed by the Cned, for example, is called "My class at home", available on computer: memos, exercises, explanations in each subject ... students will be able to continue to follow the school program from the large kindergarten section to the Terminale. The main problem, however, is child care. For employees who cannot use telework, a 14-day sick leave for one of the two parents may be issued. All schools are closed until at least April 6, but there were still doubts about childminders and small crèches.
"The establishments for the reception of young children with more than ten children are closed. The crèches, the homes of nursery assistants ... are therefore concerned," said Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Friday. "On the other hand, the structures which receive less than ten children, must be maintained: this is the case of micro-crèches, and nursery assistants who can thus maintain their activity".
>> Watch Bernard Poirette's morning show in replay and podcast here
Concerning the children of the hospital staff but also of the pharmacists and all the professions which fight on the front line against the coronavirus, a minimum service will be set up. If you are concerned, you must take your child to his usual school on Monday morning. The children will then be grouped the next day according to their number in other establishments.
Parents who cannot telework can automatically benefit from sick leave, the steps being taken by their employer.